Beloved Canadian Broadcaster Beverly Thomson Dies at 61 After Cancer Battle
Beverly Thomson, one of Canada’s most recognizable and respected television journalists, has died at the age of 61. The longtime CTV News anchor passed away Sunday morning, surrounded by her family, after a prolonged fight with cancer, the network confirmed.
Thomson’s career in Canadian journalism spanned more than three decades, earning her a reputation as a trusted voice in news and a familiar presence in living rooms across the country. She began her tenure at CTV News Toronto as a reporter before becoming a prominent anchor on the CTV News Channel and a familiar face to morning viewers through her work on the flagship program Canada AM. Prior to joining CTV, she anchored at Global News from 1997 to 2003.
In October, Thomson was honored with the Radio Television Digital News Association of Canada’s lifetime achievement award, a testament to her enduring influence and commitment to broadcast journalism. At the ceremony, then-RTDNA Canada president Lis Travers praised her as “one of Canada’s most respected news personalities.”
Throughout her career, Thomson conducted high-profile interviews with world leaders, cultural icons, and public figures, including Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Donald Trump, and Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield. She also reported on major global events, including the 2016 U.S. presidential election, solidifying her reputation as a journalist who navigated both politics and pop culture with skill and poise.
Richard Gray, vice-president of news at Bell Media, called Thomson “a trusted voice and a valued teammate to all of us at CTV News” in a tribute released Sunday.
“Bev’s natural on-air style created an immediate connection with viewers,” Gray said. “For decades, she also made a significant impact across the country with her vocal support and advocacy for cancer charities. Bev will be dearly missed by all of us at CTV News. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.”
A Legacy of Strength and Grace
Former Canada AM colleagues Jeff Hutcheson, Marci Ien, and Seamus O’Regan shared a joint tribute on social media, remembering Thomson not only as a gifted broadcaster but as a cherished friend who continued to work through years of cancer treatment.
“The four of us spent three hours together every morning, live on air, five days a week, for years and years,” they wrote. Thomson, they said, could “scrap with politicians and give as good as she got,” all while maintaining kindness and resilience. “She fought [cancer] so hard, chin up,” they added. “On tough mornings we’d always ask her what we could do, but we always knew the answer: get on with the job. So we did. We always carried each other.”
Former Global News anchor Leslie Roberts also paid tribute, describing Thomson as a “solid news anchor, mother and friend.” Reflecting on their early years together in Toronto broadcasting, he wrote, “As my first Toronto co-anchor, she always had my back. No one better to have as a ‘work wife.’”
In 2019, Thomson received one of the nation’s highest civilian honors, the Order of Canada, in recognition not only of her journalism career but also her extensive volunteer work with breast cancer organizations — advocacy that became deeply personal after her own diagnosis.
Beverly Thomson leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, compassion, and extraordinary resilience. Her voice, her presence, and her dedication to her craft made her a pillar of Canadian journalism — and her loss will be felt profoundly by colleagues, viewers, and every community she touched.
